New to fivers - Bridge

45Ricochet wrote:
Yes measure it sitting on your truck.

Just keep a good eye on signs, even then back roads may not have em.

And......video clips for "45Richochet"..:W

"NEWS" (North, East, West, South) -
Lots of "pro" and amateur drivers meeting "Murphy"......

"Bridge Idiots"

Good, Bad & Ugly

Don't fit = "The" fits!

KC Semi & Cattle

Best for last..."WILL IT CLEAR ?" - regulations and ...trucks, buses, under bridges, spectacular "going down the highway" clips!
RV at 1:28 and the infamous bank drive-thru overhang at 1:58.


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jjj wrote:
I have been pulling a fiver for over 20 years now and have never came across a low bridge yet. I drive a semi and minimum height for a trailer is 13'6". If you do come to a area with a low bridge there should be posted signs way before you get there. I know there are places with low bridges but I have never been there. I don't see it being to much of a problem, just keep your eyes open for signs. My biggest fear is gas stations. there are a lot with low over head roofs that are low enough to take out the A.C. on the trailer roof, just be careful of them. I always stay to the outside pump for them.

Wow.

Hmmmmm - naive!

Most recent for me was a few years ago, work being done inside the Eisenhower tunnel on I-70 with *new* (temporary) height restriction and detour to (old) US-6. Plenty of warning.

A bit of a YouTube search will bring up the busy road and (height posted) underpass in Chicago with all types of vehicles trying to "fit" ....where they didn't..:(

Lots of those "oops" are trucks - presumably with CDL carrying experienced drivers - who hadn't come across a low bridge *YET* either..:R

Sooo - OP - pay attention, plan ahead.
Interstates are no problem - *unless* you're on a busy "highway" and don't see any big rigs.
Keep your eye on the "experienced" tractor-trailer drivers - see where they go - and where they don't.

A truckers atlas with bridge clearances is cheap - and if you're so inclined to spend a few more bucks, the current GPS devices will give you bridge info..;)

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There are quite a few low bridges on the secondary roads in the eastern part of upstate New York.

chiefneon wrote:
Howdy!

You absolutely need to check the height on your new RV. I use a GPS app Co-Pilot that has a height setting up to 13' it has worked well and kept me off of low clearence roads that would cause problems. Also one of the biggest problems RV'er have to worry about is not bridges, but low power lines and tree limbs. Tree limbs especially in RV parks and campground cause more damage than bridges.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

I picked up AllStay's "Camp and RV" app, and it has bridge heights. I know of two low ones on my route out west, but it says both of them are 13' 8".

And I agree with you folks talking about tree branches. There were a pain with my TT as well.

Thanks, guys!

45Ricochet wrote:
Yes measure it sitting on your truck.

Just keep a good eye on signs, even then back roads may not have em.

Oh, that makes me cry. :D

45Ricochet wrote:
Yes measure it sitting on your truck.

Just keep a good eye on signs, even then back roads may not have em.

You got to Love pictures like this!!
Falls under Were you paying attention to your DRIVING???
Really feel sorry for the guy in the picture, but at 8' I would be think is just the truck going to clear.

Then again it could have been a Diesel and smaller 5er, and he just didn't know it was back there!!!

Yes measure it sitting on your truck.

Just keep a good eye on signs, even then back roads may not have em.

Howdy!

You absolutely need to check the height on your new RV. I use a GPS app Co-Pilot that has a height setting up to 13' it has worked well and kept me off of low clearence roads that would cause problems. Also one of the biggest problems RV'er have to worry about is not bridges, but low power lines and tree limbs. Tree limbs especially in RV parks and campground cause more damage than bridges.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon

Red Wolf wrote:
.how often do you need to worry about low bridges?

Almost never. It's low hanging tree branches that freak me out, and they're everywhere.

We run 12'-8" on the truck and in ten years we have only found two "NO-GO" locations. One in Idaho where a dirt road went under the main highway and we cleared that by staying Way left. The other was a series of railroad underpasses in Binghamton, New York that were only 10-6. Clearly marked, but only at the last cross street before the underpass.

We had to run parallel to the railroad until we could get back on the Interstate and go over the tracks

Look out for gas stations.

If you ever go to Canada, you have to know your clearances in Meters.